The DHL Stormers can expect a fired-up Connacht when they take to the field in Galway in a crucial game for both teams’ playoff prospects.
Ninth-placed Connacht will host the DHL Stormers in the penultimate round of the Vodacom URC, with the two teams coming off contrasting results in Round 16.
While the fifth-placed Stormers produced a sensational comeback to grab a bonus-point win against Dragons in Newport, Connacht suffered a 47-12 loss to Munster in Limerick.
The defeat to the defending champions – combined with Benetton’s stunning win against the Sharks in Durban – has left Connacht trailing the top eight by four points.
With the their final game of the season against eight-time champions Leinster in Dublin, it means that Connacht will be looking as many as they can from Saturday’s match at The Sportsground.
“[Results elsewhere] obviously makes the Stormers a must-win game,” head coach Pete Wilkins said. “I am not afraid to say that.
STATE OF THE URC: Full steam ahead of SA teams
“We have to ensure that we put ourselves back in a stronger position, and particularly with the other results, it doesn’t help us.
“I have no doubt about the strength of character of the lads to respond, it’s too big an opportunity and too big of an occasion for us as a club not to respond, but it frustrates me that we have to be looking for a response.”
Ireland flyhalf Jack Carty agreed with his coach, adding that Connacht cannot afford to let the game open up against one of the deadliest counter-attacking teams in the competition.
“We can’t look past Stormers,” said Carty. “That comes down to it being a cup final for us. We need to get a win at home and send the fellas who are finishing up off [on a high].
“If you look at what Stormers did to the Dragons, it was a similar sort of game, they punished them when they were loose.
“That’s where the focus will be for us this week. Being more accurate, set-piece, attack and defence, and be more clinical when we can be.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images